The clip was filmed using its AVCHD Lite (720p / 30fps) movie mode at the highest 17Mbit/s bit rate. Vimeo can't accept the camera's native MTS files, so I used Adobe Media Encoder to convert it to an MP4 file using the same frame size, frame rate and H.264 compression.

The clip demonstrates the camera's ability to optically zoom the lens while filming, although it also shows AF issues during the process. It's possible to avoid this searching by disabling CAF and Pre-AF, although you may subsequently find the subject gradually becomes out of focus as you adjust the zoom.

Note: like previous generations, the TZ7 / ZS3 were launched alongside a cheaper sister model, the TZ6 / ZS1. Both models share the same body, 12x optical zoom and 10.1 Megapixel effective resolution, but the TZ6 / ZS1 has a smaller and less detailed 2.7in / 230k screen and lacks the HD movie recording, HDMI port and the ability to maintain the angle of view when shooting at different aspect ratios.

So yes, it still has video, just not in HD. The best quality video mode it has is WVGA: 848 x 480 pixels at 30 fps.

As always, great review Gordon! Too bad Panny did not implement the self-timer with face detection that the Cannon G10 has, and the upcoming SX200IS will have. The TZ7 seems like a slight improvement over the TZ5. I thought about waiting to get the TZ7 or SX200IS, but I ended up picking up a TZ5 at Costco a few weeks ago for $200. It was too good to pass up (although Costco has a 3 month return policy, so I could still return the TZ5).

TZ2 - yes, I hope to do a video tour in the next few days. And I'll also add final scores in a few days.

gianluk - as stated in the review, if you select Motion JPEG mode, the maximum length is when the file reaches 2GB. If you're using AVCHD though, Panasonic says you can keep filming until you run out of memory. Sadly I was unable to really test this as I had nothing bigger than a 2GB card to use with the camera - like others, I'd like to see what happens if you feed it a 16 or 32GB card!

As noted in the review, there's also a 15 minute clip limit for European models due to tax reasons - ie, any longer and its classed as a camcorder.

Hi everybody!
I'm brand new on this discussion forum Thank you Gordon for a nice review! I have been watching for this new TZ7 and i'm pretty sure that i'm going to buy one. I have one question: What about the memory card? I have seen some comments about the TZ5 and problems with video recording because of too slow memory cards (even with a class 6). Gordon, what kind of memory card did you use when taking the TZ7 video clip?
I have planned to buy a Transcend 8gb class 6 memory card. Is it good enough for sure?
Thank you!